UPDATE 1-TV audience for US vice presidential debate about half that of Trump-Clinton

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NEW YORK Oct 5 The television audience for
Tuesday's U.S. vice presidential debate between Republican Mike
Pence and Democrat Tim Kaine is expected to be 40 million to 50
million - in line with previous such matchups, according to
media reports on Wednesday.

The Hollywood Reporter, citing preliminary Nielsen and
network data from the four main U.S. broadcasters, said the
debate scored a 13.2 household rating.

That would translate into a total TV audience of around 51
million when final numbers from cable and other channels are
released by Nielsen later in the day. That is about the same as
the viewing figure for the 2012 vice presidential encounter
between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Paul Ryan.

CNN calculated that the final audience would be in the 40-50
million range.

Last week's first debate between presidential candidates
Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton was watched
by a record 84 million TV viewers.

None of the figures for the debates include those who
watched online, through social media, or in bars and
restaurants.

Vice presidential debates have traditionally attracted
smaller TV audiences, with the exception of the 2008 encounter
between Biden and Republican Sarah Palin, which set a record for
a VP debate of 69.9 million viewers.

Tuesday's 90-minute face-off between Pence and Kaine,
broadcast live across 10 U.S. TV channels, was the only debate
between the vice presidential contenders before the Nov. 8
election.

The two spent most of their time attacking each other's
running mates but neither appeared to deliver a knockout punch.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Frances Kerry)

NEW YORK, Dec 9 Country star Garth Brooks is in
discussions to perform at the inauguration of U.S.
President-elect Donald Trump, the singer's representative said
on Friday, as organizers of the event denied media reports that
they were struggling to find A-list stars to take part.